HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The sixth-seeded Auburn gymnastics team finished the 2021 SEC Championship with a fifth-place finish, scoring a 196.275 in Huntsville, Ala., in the Von Braun Center Saturday.
"It took a while for us to get started, but that's a part of the process when you have a lot of young people," head coach Jeff Graba said. "For the most part, I'm really proud of this team. This was a great learning experience for the rest of the postseason."
Alabama won the SEC Championship with a 197.875. LSU followed closely behind with a 197.775 and Florida came in third at 196.975. Kentucky was fourth (196.825), Missouri was sixth (196.125) and Arkansas was seventh (195.600). Georgia was not at the conference meet because of COVID issues within the program.
A trio of Tigers earned All-SEC for their performances throughout the day. Senior Drew Watson picked up conference honors for her finish on floor, while junior Derrian Gobourne's performances on vault and floor also gave her conference recognition. Sophomore Cassie Stevens picked up All-SEC accolades for her finish on beam.
Out of Auburn's 24 routines, 16 were from freshmen and sophomores who had never competed in the postseason. And of the 16, 14 came from the sophomore class.
"We have so much youth that it took us some time to settle in," Graba said. "The pace of the meet sometimes takes a bit to get accustomed to, but I think we eventually settled in and focused on what we wanted to accomplish."
Postseason continues with Auburn heading to the 2021 NCAA Regional Championships. The squad will await its seeding and placement until the NCAA Selection Show Monday, March 22, at 4 p.m. CT.
BARS
Auburn kicked off the meet on bars, scoring a 48.975. The Tigers were led by Gobourne with a 9.85 in the anchor spot. Stevens earned a 9.8, while sophomores Anna Sumner, Piper Smith and Aria Brusch put together a trio of 9.775s for Auburn.
BEAM
Rotation two sent the squad to beam where the team finished with a 49.050. Stevens secured All-SEC recognition with a career-high 9.9, finishing tied for second in the afternoon session. Senior Meredith Sylvia followed with a 9.85, while Watson added a 9.8. Sophomore Morgan Leigh Oldham earned a 9.775 and Gobourne closed out scoring in the event with a 9.725.
FLOOR
The Tigers tied their season high on floor, putting together a 49.350 as a squad. Watson and Gobourne finished tied for second in the afternoon session with a pair of 9.9s, earning All-SEC honors. Stevens picked up a 9.875 and Brusch added a 9.85. Sophomore Adeline Sabados was awarded a 9.825 for the team to help the squad reach a top score in the event.
VAULT
Auburn finished the afternoon on vault and scored a 48.900. Gobourne secured All-SEC honors with a 9.85 on her Yurchenko 1.5. Watson and Sabados finished with a pair of 9.8s and Piper Smith chipped in a 9.775. Stevens and freshman Payton Smith each had a 9.675.